Derails?

[Linus]

After reading a few threads, I noticed that sometimes they get derailed in a huge way. I mean, I do expect that threads will have derails and their own twists and turns but it did make me wonder if either the OP (Original Poster aka person who created the thread) or participants get annoyed about this.

I'll admit to doing derails at times and I like the organic nature of threads but there are times when I get frustrated that a thread won't continue down the original topic rather than being a whole new discussion.

Anyways, I was curious what others thought about this.

[Liam]

Originally Posted by Linus

After reading a few threads, I noticed that sometimes they get derailed in a huge way. I mean, I do expect that threads will have derails and their own twists and turns but it did make me wonder if either the OP (Original Poster aka person who created the thread) or participants get annoyed about this.

I'll admit to doing derails at times and I like the organic nature of threads but there are times when I get frustrated that a thread won't continue down the original topic rather than being a whole new discussion.

Anyways, I was curious what others thought about this.

It drives me nuts, when the original topic gets lost in tangents.

[Random]

For me there a couple different kinds of derails..

The first is a natural progression of questions or comments... The thread takes on it's own life....

The second is when a group of people come in to play...

The first, for me is organic and I just go with the flow (most of the time, I've found you can't make people talk about what YOU want to talk about if they are on another track)

The second one kinda pisses me off... Yes, I get that sometimes people are trying to lighten the thread (I've even done it myself) but when it goes on for several pages and the org topic is gone and it's turned into a wit and banter thread.. well it's frustrating and I just leave..

[SuperFemme]

I find derails to be frustrating when the thread gets long fast, and I have something to say about the OP but when I respond there are fifty posts in between. I want to address pizza toppings and now people are posting about shark attacks.

I guess I have to be faster. I also have to be careful about me derailing a thread because it is SO easy when responding post by post. Not intentionally but it is the ebb and flow. I usually try to reel myself back in.

[Mister Bent]

I confess to being one of those frustrating derailers (or, in bicycling terms, derailleurs - oooh French, shiny!).

I don't intend on doing it. Mostly. Sometimes. It's just the way my brain sometimes works - with the ebb and flow of dialogue a word might spontaneously ignite some thought and I'm off like honeymoon pajamas.

I don't necessarily feel good about myself for doing it. But, I don't much cotton to regret either.

[JustBeingMe]

Originally Posted by Random

For me there a couple different kinds of derails..

The first is a natural progression of questions or comments... The thread takes on it's own life....

The second is when a group of people come in to play...

The first, for me is organic and I just go with the flow (most of the time, I've found you can't make people talk about what YOU want to talk about if they are on another track)

The second one kinda pisses me off... Yes, I get that sometimes people are trying to lighten the thread (I've even done it myself) but when it goes on for several pages and the org topic is gone and it's turned into a wit and banter thread.. well it's frustrating and I just leave..

Right there with ya. I can't stand it when the original thread turns in to an infighting match either. Drives me nuts.
I have bantered with others in a thread to lighten it up, but then got back on track myself. It can be frustrating to find a really good thread get totally lost and derailed and it stop. I hate that.

[The_Lady_Snow]

Pictures of dogs having sex with ducks kinda derails make me itchy... Other than that, I can push it to the side and move forward.

[Semantics]

I like derails.

Sometimes the most interesting info is found in the off-topic tangents.

I always wonder why people get so upset. What's stopping them from going in and posting something about the original topic?

[Apocalipstic]

I don't really mind the derails, unless they are mean or someone comes in and just vomits their own unrelated issues on a positive thread which then makes it uncomfortable for anyone else to post.

Oh yeah, andddddd I especially hate it when someone comes in and starts correcting grammar and spelling and they say stuff like they can't concentrate because someone spelled "a lot" "alot". It makes me wonder if maybe being a good speller is all they have going on in their lives.

Something recently I have noticed is people questioning or ridiculing original posters for starting treads at all. Maybe it has always gone on? If someone starts a thread, then they probably are looking for some sort of answer.

Some of the funniest threads ever have been derails.

I love you guys man!

[always2late]

The most annoying derails, to me, are when two (or more) posters use a thread for their own personal conversation. I have no problem if the conversation is on topic...but when its stuff that has nothing at all to do with the thread...it irks me.

[Mister Bent]

Originally Posted by always2late

The most annoying derails, to me, are when two (or more) posters use a thread for their own personal conversation. I have no problem if the conversation is on topic...but when its stuff that has nothing at all to do with the thread...it irks me.

But see, I can just ignore that shit, gloss right on over, so it doesn't chap my hide too damn much.



Also, pretty sure I'm guilty here, too.

Whoops!

[apretty]

mostly i ignore a derail unless it's hateful and ignorant, however on topic--to me, that's the worst kind of derail.

[sharkchomp]

I was going to post in your thread about trans and labels but after reading it, there appeared to be 3 or 4 different topics/discussions going on and they were touching on heated topics I've had with people before so I just left. Sometimes it's just not worth getting involved.

~~~shark~~~~~~~~

[Queerasfck]

Originally Posted by Mister Bent

But see, I can just ignore that shit, gloss right on over, so it doesn't chap my hide too damn much.



Also, pretty sure I'm guilty here, too.

Whoops!

Originally Posted by apretty

mostly i ignore a derail unless it's hateful and ignorant, however on topic--to me, that's the worst kind of derail.

Hey friends!

[Mister Bent]

Originally Posted by EzeeTiger

Hey friends!

Brotherman!

It seems like forever since we've been on at the same time.

Fantastic to see you!

[Queerasfck]

Originally Posted by Mister Bent

Brotherman!

It seems like forever since we've been on at the same time.

Fantastic to see you!

I know, right?

[Selenay]

I think it's fucking annoying.


There are lots of threads for fun and fluff, and lots of threads for chitchatting with friends, keep it out of a serious thread.

Serious conversations do not require a commercial break.

[Mister Bent]

Originally Posted by Selenay

Serious conversations do not require a commercial break.

Uh, yeah they do.

When else do you take a piss or get a snack?

[Gemme]

I'm a derailer by nature, unfortunately. Part of it is the Gemini charm (I hope!) and part of it is that I have the attention span of a gnat (I can still probably blame that on the Gemini thing too, huh?).

I'm one of those people who, if you interrupt me while I'm speaking (whether it's relevant or not), 9 times out of 10, I'm going to forget where I was headed before the interruption. So, I practice a lot of verbal diarrhea.

Most of the time, I make a solid effort to stay on track or, if I see that I'm part of a major derailment that is not helping the thread at all, I'll take it private.

I am more aware of whether I'm on or off track in the serious threads, but the fluffy stuff has more twists and turns than the streets in San Francisco, so I feel less 'bad' about derailing the fun threads but I don't actively seek to derail any of them.

[Gemme]

Originally Posted by Selenay

I think it's fucking annoying.


There are lots of threads for fun and fluff, and lots of threads for chitchatting with friends, keep it out of a serious thread.

Serious conversations do not require a commercial break.

I see where you are coming from in wanting to stay on topic but it feels almost as if those who use humor to cope with issues in their lives shouldn't post in a serious thread then. Because we are going to crack a joke or throw a zinger in there to let some of the tension out of the 'room'.

I do stay out of a lot of serious threads and/or just post once and unsubscribe afterward because I know my way of talking and doing things isn't always welcome. But for those that touch on a nerve for me, I'll brave the criticism if I do see fit to make a joke or try to lighten things up if they feel heavy and suffocating to me.